St Anne Parish, Jamaica, although a relatively tiny section of the island, has produced an amazing amount of music and talented musicians, including two of my all-time favorites in Bob Marley, & Justin Hinds. This week’s track comes from the vocal duo known as Larry & Alvin. Larry Marshall was also from that parish, and with the help of his friend Alvin Leslie, they had a string of hits in the late 60’s and early 70’s, both on the island and in the UK.

“Throw Me Corn” was recorded and released in 1971.  It was produced by the legendary Clement “Coxsone” Dodd, and the Sound Dimension were the backing band during the session.
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It’s a classic, soothing track that fans of the genre adore. Sadly, Marshall never received much for his efforts and had to move to Miami Florida to find work and support himself financially. He died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease 2017 but his work and laid back style will always be loved.

Three years ago this month we lost Brooklyn born, Memphis raised musician Omar Higgins. He was an extremely talented bassist, US Army veteran, church youth leader and a pillar of the Memphis community, fighting musical and racial stereotypes.

The “Voice Of Memphis” is from Negro Terror’s self-produced EP The Bootleg. It’s a re-appropriation of the unabashedly racist song “The Voice Of Britain” by once punk, turned white supremacy band Skrewdriver. Higgins purposely chose this song and helped disarm the repugnant lyrics into stanzas that celebrate diversity, Memphis, and their proud musical heritage.

​For more information about Omar Higgins and his work in Memphis:
​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YjmThsuRUs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX68w5fyKBM
https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2019/04/21/omar-higgins-dead-memphis-punk-reggae-musician-age-37/3533631002/

Stick-Up! was recorded in 1968 at the famed Van Gelder Studios. It’s not necessarily a groundbreaking album, just a warm reflection on both hard and post-bop, right before Jazz Fusion took over. It also features a legendary lineup with Joe Henderson on sax, Herbie Lewis on bass, McCoy Tyner on piano and one of my all-time favorite drummers, Billy Higgins.
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But what I like most about the record is the lead track, a cover of Ornette Coleman’s “Una Muy Bonita”, which humorously translates to “a very pretty.” Their version playfully rolls along, slightly funkier and digging deeper into the groove.